Singer Stevie Nicks has apologized for criticizing American Idol judge Nicki Minaj over her feud with Mariah Carey.

The Fleetwood Mac star found herself in the middle of the reality TV battle when she weighed in on the Idol feud on Tuesday.

Nicks came to the defence of Carey, telling reporters that if Minaj had verbally attacked her like she did with the Hero singer - as seen on leaked audition footage - she "would have walked over to Nicki and strangled her to death right there." She added, "I would have killed her in front of all those people and had to go to jail for it."

The legendary singer is now apologising for her remarks, releasing a statement to website JustJared.com that reads: "I want to apologize for my remarks about Nicki Minaj’s behavior toward Mariah Carey which I said during a long and exhausting day of interviews. It was very out of character for me and I deeply regret what I said.

"I feel very protective toward Mariah Carey, who has gone through many difficulties in her life and I spoke without thinking. I think all artists should be respectful toward one another and that includes me. I am truly sorry."